Think about it
By Raïssa Robles
In the course of my investigations I gather bits and pieces of information which can’t be developed into long stories but can be used to form a pattern of analysis and lead to informed speculation.
When I say “informed”, I mean informed as a journalist who has been in the news business for several decades now and who draws on this well-spring of experience.
Today’s piece is meant to launch what I would call my online “column” like those you often read in traditional newspapers. It will be a grab bag of data about events, what people say, my take on what’s happening, and verified gossip.
The title “Think about it” was suggested to me by my hubby Alan. I think it’s really what this column is about. I want it to to draw the ever widening community now congregating around this blog to be part of the process of discovery of the truth behind events.
Let me now share with you one of the bits of info that I stumbled upon in the course of investigating Chief Justice Corona and his impeachment.
I have run this bit with one ex-banker and one senior banker. Both of them told me my conclusion was correct – that one more person, other than officials of PSB, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and personnel fielded by the Anti-Money Laundering Council – also had access to Chief Justice Renato Corona’s bank records including his signature cards.
That person is, of course, Renato Corona himself.
At first a bit startled by my question, the senior banker of one of the largest universal banks thought about it and confirmed that as the client, Corona would have access to all the records that now seem to be floating around, pointing to the presence of peso and dollar deposits but containing entries that were not quite similar.
The ex-banker also said Corona had access to the same records.
The senior banker also said that as the client, Corona has to fill out a new signature card yearly, as required by Central Bank regulations. And of course he can ask to take a look at his signature cards anytime, the banker added.
To this day, no one – not a senator-judge nor a member of the prosecution – has asked how CJ Corona transacts with the banks where he has accounts.
The senior banker also told me something very interesting. He said that foreign banks in the Philippines are loath to deal with Filipino politicians whom they automatically classify as PEPs – Politically Exposed Persons. This was following the sad experience of Citibank with President Joseph Estrada who had stashed dollars in that bank.
Because of this, politicians can only go to local banks to open accounts.
The banker also confirmed that CJ Corona with his multi-million-peso accounts, would be classified as a “preferred client” and most probably be accorded the privileges of one.
Please recall that it was no less than the head of PCI-Equitable bank’s Trust Department, Clarissa Ocampo, who went to the bank’s high net worth client Joseph Estrada to obtain his signature for the signature card of the “Jose Velarde” account.
Because of all these snippets of info, my hubby Alan thought it would be interesting for the prosecution to ask PSB and Bank of the Philippine Islands the following questions:
[CORRECTION: My hubby read these questions and asked me to correct some of them under threat of an impeachment suit. I have since adjusted them.]
- How does CJ Corona transact with the bank? In person or through an intermediary?
- If Corona personally visits the bank, is there anyone detailed to attend to him specifically? After all, he is a preferred client. Who would that person be?
- Does CJ Corona maintain safety deposit boxes in the bank or in any other branch of the bank? (The ex-banker shared with me the info that from his experience, they had clients who stashed cash in their safety deposit boxes – cash that they did not want reflected in any bank statements.
- Does the bank branch where CJ Corona has his account have any CCTVs that would show his visits?
- When was the last time CJ Corona went to the bank?
- When did he or his wife last see his signature card? And has he filled up any new signature card? How many signature cards has he actually filled up in the course of his dealing with PSB Katipunan?
- Has any bank staffer or officer visited CJ Corona at home, in his Supreme Court office or elsewhere to conduct any banking activity with him?
- Have there been any large transfers or deposits made to any of his accounts in the past two years by anyone other than himself?
- In what form (cash or check) and when was the alleged Basa-Guidote money first deposited in CJ Corona’s bank accounts? Was the deposit in a lump sum or several checks in various dates? To whom was the check made out. If the original check from the City of Manila was made out to Cristina Corona, how could it have been deposited in an account held only in the name of CJ Corona?
- When Mrs Corona withdrew the alleged Basa-Guidote money from her husband’s accounts, was there a phone call from CJ Corona himself to anyone in PSB before, after or during the withdrawal?
- The bank manager said the withdrawals were made in the form of a manager’s check. Was this “pay to cash” or pay to WHOM?
- What time was PSB told that Cristina Corona was withdrawing a huge amount on December 12? And what time did she actually make the withdrawal? [Because the House of Representatives convened a caucus on the matter in the afternoon of December 12, a Monday, and impeached CJ Corona hours later that night.]
- Can the Philippine Clearing House Corporation, where checks in the entire local banking system are cleared, be asked about checks that were issued to CJ Corona and by CJ Corona?
- Has CJ Corona ever converted pesos to foreign currency?
* * *
Lawyers of CJ Corona have described as “unbelievable” the claim of former Quezon City congressman Jorge Banal that he merely found a xerox copy of Corona’s bank signature cards left at the gate of his house.
In other words, the lawyers think Banal is lying. They want to sue him for illegal possession of confidential bank documents.
Before they file any suit, the lawyers should probably run Banal’s claim by the man who has closely been helping them and their client. His name is Francisco “Kit” Tatad and seven years ago, he claimed he woke up one day and found a compact disc mailed to his house. In other words, also left at his gate.
Tatad’s claim is forever archived in a Time magazine report filed by the late Nelly Sindayen.
The report can be found here –
Here is the pertinent portion:
Francisco Tatad, a former Senator in the opposition camp, says he received two audiotapes from an anonymous source in the mail in May. He gave them to a lawyer, Alan Paguia, asking for legal advice on the conversations. Paguia, who worked in 2003 as an attorney for Arroyo’s predecessor Joseph Estrada, made a 32-minute condensed version. When the palace released its copy of the conversations (the Gary tape), Paguia started distributing the other version on CD. The lawyer says he wasn’t working on behalf of Estrada, but had his own reasons for spreading the CDs: in November 2003 the Supreme Court had suspended Paguia’s right to practice law for his repeated criticism of its approval of Arroyo’s taking over the presidency from Estrada.
The entire Time magazine report can be read by clicking here.
Central Bank Monetary Board member Ignacio Bunye should be held to account over the 'Hello Garci' tapes
If you recall, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s spokesman Ignacio Bunye made the same claim of finding a similar compact disc at his house.
It was Bunye who first made public the Garci tapes when he announced in a press conference that he had “two tapes.”
In his June 6, 2005 press conference, Bunye held up two compact audio discs and said that one was a genuine recording of Arroyo talking to a man surnamed “Ruado” – a staffmember of then Congressman Ignacio Arroyo. Bunye claimed that one recording was Arroyo talking to this Ruado. The other recording was “spliced” to make it appear that Arroyo was talking to a poll official.
When asked by reporters the source of the tapes, Bunye said that was “privileged communication”. Bunye said the tapes came from a woman who preferred to remain anonymous.
Again, a mysterious woman.
Why can’t it be a man next time?
* * *
It was while reading Nelly Sindayen’s snippet from Time magazine about Tatad that the question occurred to me – Has CJ Corona’s bank documents become like the Garci tapes, which had so many versions of the same thing?
Today a commenter to this blog named Maria seemed to be on the same wavelength as me. Maria wrote that the leak could have come from “a private person”, including possibly “a person inside Corona’s camp.”
But why would Corona himself or someone in his camp want to leak his own bank documents? What would that accomplish?
The only answer I can think of – and I’m not saying this is true or that the Corona camp did such a clever, clever thing – is to mess up the evidence so that these cannot at all be admitted in court as evidence.
This is just a thought. It’s within the realm of probability, but I don’t know whether it’s true. The only way to ascertain this is to ask about CJ Corona’s actions in relation to bank officers and his bank records during the period between December 2011 and up to today.
marithe says
Raissa, sa ginawa ng defense na sabihing there was an attempt to bribe the senators to a whooping 100 M, the way they wanted to stop the impeachment trial by filing in the turf of cj who did not take a leave all in prep for a mistrial, the bank records coming from a small lady which has the same amount but was muddled in around 39 different ways, parang si jennifer sa stars shine down, sidney sheldon. consistent ang image, to muddle the evidence and destroy or gag the witness. take note, corona received perks at PAL? JPE did not even allow tupas to finish his statements, sobrang timing naman! not even one senator asked about cj and his wife’s transactions which they can do. why why why? in the interest of truth, mr. jpe, miriam didn’t even think about it?or the other intellectual elites? the conspiracy of silence nga naman. tupas is not on trial here whether he is a good lawyer or not, cj is. then, by all means, subpoena the bank and release the transaction dates! how dare he treat tupas like an idiot or any member of the congress for that matter! martial law ba ito?
jorgebernas says
Sa nakikita ko parang natatakot mga senador/judges natin na kumuntra sa mga depense team kasi ni hindi nga nila na contemp ang depense team na nagsalita na ang malakanyang ay magbibigay nang 100 million pesos para kontrahin ang TRO nang supreme court pabor kay thief justice nato corona dollars accnt.? ni wala sila ginawa sa depense team na hayagang ginawang/ nagsalita na magbibigay ang malakanyang nang 100 million pesos para mabuksan ang dollar accnts. ni tj corona pero ang nangyari pa rin sumaludo sila sa TRO nang stupid court 13-11 votes samantalang maliwanag na ang lmpeachment court has only the sole power to try/hear the impeachment court? BAKIT sila sumaludo sa S.C.? BAKIT? at Bakit wala silang ginawa?
At ngayon e contemp nila si atty. aguirre dahil nagtatakip lamang ito nang tainga? Bakit? Masakit pakinggan ang salita/sigaw ni mirriam kaya dapat lang na magtakip? Bias na yata mga senator/judges natin ngayon o sadyang nabahiran na nang kabulukan? Takot yata kay thief justice nato corona na isang mandaraya,sinungaling, nagpayaman nang husto?ginamit ang kapangyarihan para magka PERA sa maling paraan? Think about it senator/judges? malapit na rin ang election kaya mamili kayo nang kalaban ninyo at kakampi?
William Manalo says
Patas lang din ang mga pinag gagawa ng prosecution team sa defense. The prosecution after several warnings given to them, they never stop maligning the CJ all over the media. Mga trial by publicity mga ginawa nila sa CJ dahil akala nila mapagresign nila si Corona. Kaso Corona decided o slug it out yun lumabas na nagkakapa pala sila ng ebidensiya.
Pnoy must really know something about the dollar account deposit and balance. kung kayat ganoon na lang pinagpipilit na ipabukas ito. I am sure may nagtip ito sa kanya o di kaya noon pa pinasilip at napakuha niya..
I totally disgree na si CJ mismo ang nagkalat nito.
Jan says
The problem with the impeachment court is that it is full of lawyers. This impeachment trial shouldn’t be and wouldn’t be stuck on technicalities if it was largely composed of non-lawyers. The senator-judges would be busy uncovering the truth and not conduct the trial like a criminal proceeding. This should be an investigation as to the fitness of the impeachable officer to remain in office.
edwin w says
natakot yata si jpe sa amla…naging mahigpit tuloy
hehe
corona should depend himself sana
para mas maganda
tutal cj naman xa
tsaka huag kau magtaka at magaling xa sa maniobra
galing xa sa sgv remember
malacanang boys pa dati
Johnny lin says
Remember, Corona, Enrile, Tatad worked TOGETHER doing DIRTY TACTICS and business during Marcos martial law in Malacanang.
They were familiar with each other’s crooked habits
he he he
Johnny lin says
Common between Corona and Enrile learned during Martial law
Corona taught his children the art of stealing and fraud with their real estate
Enrile taught his son Cong Jackie the art of stealing with smuggling and extortion in Cagayan freeport. Jackie when he was young was in the news for drugs and rape issues.
Common between Corona and Tatad
Corona is congenital and pathological liar so is his daughter, Mrs. Castillo
Tatad is unscrupulous liar, his daughter is a known liar at work using her father influence
john c. jacinto says
The “suicide” of actor Alfie Anido remains a mystery to this day. Jackie Enrile’s name has always been linked to it.
max says
I take comfort that JPE has professed recently reading two important books on impeachment penned by Harvard minds. These books significantly enlightened JPE on impeachment proceedings. These are game changers.
I am confident (hopeful) that at this point in his life, he aims for redemption. He will do the right thing, to leave a significant legacy for the Filipino people.
Is it irony or what. The man tagged as the architect of martial law, who played a role (direct/indirect) in Ninoy’s fate, would be playing a key role for Ninoy’s son’s mandate. I am not a fan of Enrile but I believe in redemption. Things happen for a reason. God plays the upper hand and He works in mysterious (suspenseful) ways.
umingan says
Your Honor, could you relate again how you faked your ambush in 1972 so that Martial Law could be declared?
john says
When Corona, GMA, Mercy, and the entire gang are all in jail, I hope Raissa Robles, with the same dedication and zeal, investigate similar allegations of graft and corruption against the Cojuangcos, Aquinos, Presidential sisters and their husbands, Mar Roxas and the Cruz, Villaraza & Carpio puppet masters.
Johnny lin says
YES
ALSO JOKER, MIRIAM, ENRILE, BINAY, BONGBONG, MACEDA, TATAD, SINGSON, SUAREZ, LAGMAN, CUEVAS, ESGUERRA, ROY, SALVADOR, JIMENO, MANALO, IGLESISIA NI KRISTO AND BISHOP ARGUELLES .
WHO ELSE, DID WE MISS ANYBODY?
HE HE HE!
Mel says
LITO LAPID, GATDULA, IMELDA, VILLAR, CASTILLO, MIDAS MARQUEZ
Baltazar says
BOY ABUNDA :P
John says
Obviously bayaran ka ng mga Aquino, Johnny Lin. Wake up ignorant man.
JFK says
@john.
john dont start it, para kang sila Esguerra, magbibintang, yun pala sila ang gumawa, huwag mo nang ipagkaila ikaw ang bayaran ni corona nakita ka nila baycas, malinaw pa sa umaga, humingi ka pa ng dagdag, naginsist ka pa na samahan ng pansit, na ang katabi mo yung Big Gentleman naka red nandoon kayo sa panulukan ng …JUDICIAL NOTICE YOUR AUNOR
Talaga tong si john, parang timang…yung mga amo mo ang may kasalanan sa bayan, sila tong nagpahirap pipilitin mong kasuhan sila Pnoy…ikaw ang pangatlong nakita ko rito na utak kokrots…entirely immaterial, irrelevant illogical and “STUPIDIAL”,pag hindi mo pa naintindiahan yan ewan ko sa yo SECURITY, SECURITY MERON NA NAMANG ME SAYAD DITO!
Alan says
you can bet on it
Juan Alila says
Sama mo na buong congress ..
Loud Too says
presidential sister??? wow ano nakain nito?
Johnny lin says
After 21 days of trial, what definite conclusions public has made.
Corona accumilated money not commensurate to his salary
That he abused his office, lied many times
What had Defense said publicly to disprove them, wait for rebuttal
Corona is dead meat, no matter what. That is the TRUTH his followers could not deny. He could not be resurrected by INC on Feb 28., not even 2million cultist chanters could change that public conviction that CORONA IS A CROOK
Enrile rejected PAL officer testimony because he is afraid he will say that PAL will reveal Enrile also got free trips, the way PSB revealed BSP audited the bank, sudden exposure.
His demeanor on denying the testimony was done the same way he was denying that Marcos would not declare martial law. Old habits are hard to break. Maybe ABS CBN could gather old TV clips and compare his denial mannerism.
ENRILE IS A CROOK FOR A LONG TIME.
Corona acquittal will prove his true identity and lost legacy. Not too late, he could change his mind on day of voting.
Baltazar says
Sa lahat ng maka Corona, WELCOME! The true democracy is truly [email protected].
Lahat ay welcome maging BULAG, NALASON,MAGNANAKAW atTAGAPAGTANGGOL NG MAGNANAKAW. TRUTH & HONESTY – yun ang wala sa mga blog sites under Corona-GMA payroll. And you can’t deny the overwhelming support on this site by people locally & overseas… kaya nyo nga binabato eh. . :P Tuloy po kayo, mga KAWATAN.
Johnny lin says
@ baltazar
Sama ko sa pagkumbida mo.
Mga bulag na talasunod ni Corona hindi maipagtanggol idolo nila.
Tinatawag na magnanakaw, hindi man lang itanong sa anti Corona kung ano ang ninakaw ni Corona. Hindi man lamang maitanong kung ano ang kasinungalingan ginawa ni Corona
Alam kasi ng mga uto-uto kagaya ni truthseeker TOTOO ang bintang, he he he.
Kung tatay mo pinagbintangan magnanakaw di mo ba ipagtatanggol? Sila hindi. Tahimik sila sa pagtatangol sa mga perang ninakaw ni Corona.
Alam kasi nila yung kinakain nila araw-araw galing sa NAKAW, he he he
Pro Corona, Welcome to the bandwagon of truth and true believers
Rallie F. Cruz says
Palagay ko lang hindi mag bulag iyan. marunog lang bumasa ng litrato at halagang nakasulat sa bawat papel na kasya sa baul, sako at wallet. Walang kakampi na libre and mga iyan Iyong iba naman kunwari hindi tumatanggap…agad…hehehe.
Ching Tsong Tsai says
Marami talaga ang mga nagbubulagbulagan ngayon, dahil natatakpan ng peso at dolyar ang mga mata nila. Pati konsensya naibenta na rin sa mga kawatan. Kung kaharap ko lang sila, baka tamaan sila ng kungfu punch at flying kick ko….hehehehe…
jorgebernas says
Tama ka Ching,
Maraming nagbubulag bulagan ngayon at masakit mang tanggapin na kahit mga OBISPO namin ay nakatanggap din noon kay Pandak nang SUV na galing sa Immoral/Sugal at ikinahiya ko itong mga OBISPONG ITO dahil Silang mga Obispo na dapat magpakita nang magandang halimbawa sa kanilang nasasakupan pero ano ito ginagawa nila kumampi sa Mandarambong/ mandarayang si Pandak mabigyan lamang nang minimithing Luxury Car/SUV para sa pansariling pakinabang at kaginhawaan… Pweehhhh…. Nakakahiya na kayong mga pumapanig sa magnanakaw/ sinungaling na nagpapayaman sa maling paraan….
Matakot kayo sa KARMA…..
emilio says
ano ka maka-abnoy? tingin mo ndi sya kawatan?! duh!!!!
Baltazar says
Bakit ka umaaray ? May sugat ka ba? Hindi ako pro Abnoy. BUT I AM ANTI CORONA-GMA. Are they the same? If you can show what PNoy has stolen anything, then I will also be anti-Abnoy like you. Show kung anong ninakaw nya then I will join your insignificant cause of defending the real thieves. DUH!
Mel says
@Baltazar
Salamat sa imbitasyon. Mas maliwanag dito sa kinaroroonan ninyo ginoong @Baltazar.
Malakas ang pakiramdaman dito kung tutuong tao o hindi. Barayan o bayanhihan.
Salamat sa may bahay (Raïssa) at hari (Alan).
Francisco F. Malubay, Jr. says
Things are getting harder for the prosecution this time… they let go of article 3 without touching the rest… With the way the Senator Judges specially Manong Johnny… well you can not blame him of the technicalities… tameme ang lahat. ANyway regarding this new post… sorry but the prosecution can no longer ask questions to the Senator-Judges’ bank witnesses… too late … this post should go to the ‘administration’s senators’ so they will be the one to exponge the answers…. With this #2 article, dapat dito pa lang cornered na si CJ. The prosecution need not tacle the rest.
Johnny lin says
Tama. Tapusin na trial. Hatulan na
CORRUPT si Corona.
Ano say niiiiinyooooooowww Pro Corona? He he he
Anton Mendoza says
At kilitiin si Midas ng bonggang bongga hanggang mawalan ng hininga!
raissa says
Huwag naman.
parengtony says
I have been following the trial via ANC livestream for the last hour and I am quite confused that no one, particularly Adel Tamano, is talking about Corona’s acceptance of a Platinum card from PAL as an impeachable offense relating to betrayal of public trust or even to culpable violation of the constitution as both clearly relate to any violation of the code of conduct, their respective oath of office, and ethical behavior standards imposed by the constitution. Please tell me that I am misinformed here. Bale wala ba ang mga provisions regarding unethical behavior?
These people are even going to the extent of justifying Corona’s acceptance of a Platinum card by lending credence to Maceda’s interview statement to the effect that such is no big deal since many government official are routinely given Platinum cards by PAL. Si Lucio Tan na yata ang nag di dictate ngayon ng norm of conduct ng public officials.
My personal opinion is that, from the perspective of We the People, we have arrived at the real issue of this impeachment trial – culture of impunity among government officials as illustrated by the Platinum card practice and the wang-wang mentality.
simon olivares says
it’s a sad commentary on how people have taken corruption for granted, acceptance of corruption as the new norm.
I am not particularly surprised about Maceda and his comment, after all, bata pa lang yan, he was already described as ” so young, and so corrupt”.
I think a lot of people are here flocking to raissa’s blog in the hope that somehow there will be a new dawn where corruption will be frowned upon and condemned instead of being envied and aspired for because of the material benefits it bestows upon its practitioners.
I am also surprised that the supposed guardians of morality, the church, the religious groups and other civil society groups have not come out en masse to demand that the truth about Corona be allowed to come out instead of being stonewalled.
marithe says
yeah, if it is maceda, it must be ____ ! hehehehe. had I received a platinum card from PAL as a clerk when I was government, i could have been dismissed by cj himself. whew!
Lamosto says
Better take a look at winning tickets (BIG Jackpots) of Lotto.
It is not a remote possibility that one of them has a signature of CJ Corona.
Lotto Jackpots won during the Arroyo/Morato administration are akin to HUWETENG.
THAT is the only possible source (of monies) and DEFENSE of CJ Corona.
As Cuevas & Co say: ” We will divulge it in time!”
Johnny lin says
One more, Corona and Cuevas will claim Jose Pidal asked him to safeguard the money
Iggy Arroyo is dead, who will testify?
He he he
max says
Can someone please educate me?
How does one open an account with a fictitious name? Typically, one’s identity is being established first (driver’s license, etc.) Granted that they know the would-be account holder, all the more they should know that he is using fictitious name. Is this legal? Are banks not liable for this practice?
Thank you.
Jan says
That’s a legitimate source. So there should be no reason why he wouldn’t declare his lotto winnings in his SALN. So why’d he hide it?
Lamosto says
Maybe!
But that is “the” secret weapon.
Do not negate the fact that he is more intelligent than many of us.
Corona was aware that what he is experiencing now would happen.
Hence, he prepared.
Mel says
Partly true.
If he was that knowledgeable with superb instinct, R Corona would have resigned before the ‘foreplay’ started.
IF he knew the ramifications of his enormous errs, it would have been worldly wise for him to face the Ombudsman than a Senate Impeachment. There he could have used his academic credentials.
BUT NO. He chose instead to face a national scandal enquiry (impeachment). And he delved into politics which is very unbecoming and ‘stupid’ for a magistrate to dive in considering he was a midnight appointment – to begin with. No matter how knowledgeable and intelligent a person of authority, it is written in black and white – that R Corona was a midnight appointment.
R Corona is no different compared with other GMA honchos. The executive and legislative branches wouldn’t allow the justice system to be held captive by a rogue justice magistrate to serve and protect the corrupt previous president and her honchos.
Elena Lemi says
CJ didn’t resign because he knows he’s going to win the impeachment case. All he got to do is clean up all the mess for 1 year for the next trial. He is indeed very intelligent. The losers are us the people. He will w/draw all the money and transfer them to other person’s name.
About the PAL platinum, JPE will not let the witness say anything because the defense will ask who else did PAL give platinum cards? Maybe some senators, congressmen or any official of the PH. Mabubuking sila kaya walang pumalag sa mga senator judges at ang prosecutors didn’t insist on it.
Mel says
LIKE. I second your comment.
The Ombudsman should investigate this form of institutionalized bribery. This will lead to a lot of exposé, beneficiaries in gov’t positions of corrupt behavior if the PAL executive was allowed to finish his testimony and put on record.
This would-be revelation could belittle the FASAP case before the SC. PAL’s publicists would, by all means, try to cover this up from the public and gov’t scrutiny.
Mel says
BUT I TAKE EXEMPTION TO ‘… because he knows he’s going to win the impeachment case. All he got to do is clean up all the mess for 1 year for the next trial. He is indeed very intelligent. The losers are us the people. He will w/draw all the money and transfer them to other person’s name.’
But the impeachment case will ‘win’ and that R Corona would be found guilty of ‘Betrayal of Public Trust’.
Lamosto says
I hope so too! Dapat lang na convicted si Corona!
then GMA and her family to follow (except grand-children below 4-years old as of June 30, 2010.
and many more GIANTS will fall!!
Sam says
If he resigned, then he would not have the control of the SC. This means, he would lost his bullets and shields to cover him up
Baggy says
I am so disgusted with what Enrile did to the prosecution last night(US) when I was watching the trial. i am not a lawyer but the way Neil Tupas explain the allegation in article 3 seems to cover bribery. He should have allowed them to finish their explanation and rule base on that explanation. Why was he scared to listen to the explanation? Is he also enjoying a benefit like Corona from PAL? It boggles my mind. In the US they do not treat congressman like that. As a person not having a lawyer’s mind but an accountant look at these benefits that Corona and wife enjoyed from PAL is tantamount to”LAGAY”di po ba. Where can you get such a benefit? In the US, congressman who receives such will be unethical, and they resign from their position.
Raissa, saludo ako sa iyo sana man lang binabasa eto nina Lacson, Revilla, Lapid at iba pa para may masabi naman sila. Right now I am considering the Impeachment trial as a murder trial because ALL are being objected to by Cuevas. What happen to the claim of the defense regarding the 100million offer to the senator?
Mel says
Senate Impeachment Presiding Officer JP Enrile acted unbecoming of a member of the House (Senate) to another co-equal member (Representative). He maybe seating as the Presiding Officer, but it was a bully and harassing fashion to a House-Prosecutor.
N Tupas’ witness was merely to give a backgrounder from a PAL perspective in relation to its special (Gratuity) treatment of R Corona. Nothing on evidenciary that may require altering the Article III Impeachment. Hindi pa niya pinatapos, at least it was rude and technically a denial to allow the Prosecutor the opportunity to present and finish its witness.
JPE even had the gall to challenge the House-Prosecutors to replace him as Presiding Officer (Read Enrile: Go ahead, remove me as presiding officer | ABS-CBN News). Where in fact, it was JPE’s colleagues who chose and voted him, not the House-Prosecutors. ‘Charge me in court as he was quoted saying’. Tanga at tumatanda na si lakay Juan.
The Senators should Rotate the Senate-Impeachment Chairperson role. JPE was complaining of the Prosecutors that, ‘They must not tax my patience because I have no time’, JPE said.
Simple, if he can’t show cause for quality and prepared time to handle the Article III (or any other articles) impeachment, JPE should just relinquish the Chairperson for another Senator who can diligently offer, commit quality and intelligent time to chairperson it. JPE’s patience is wearing thin since AGE is catching up with him because it is stressful and added pressure for him to perform and excel.
AND at another media interview (Read Enrile: We can do 2 impeach trials at the same time), JPE has the temerity to claim that the current senate impeachment under his chairperson can handle two impeachments at the same time. Ganiyan ka TANGA at kayabang si JPE. Alter ego of the same egg side silang dalawa ni Miriam Santiago.
The House-Prosecutors shouldn’t take all speeches including patronizing utterances from any of the Senators as GOSPEL. As co-members of the Legislative Branch, they are of equal footing, they have ‘inter parliamentary’ courtesy. Even in Impeachment sessions – show cause for respect since they are all voted as representatives of the people.
They require their ‘court room subjects’ to call them honorable? They should act as an honorable person to begin with!
Even if N Tupas is younger or lack practical experience for a Trial Lawyer, JPE must show respect to a Legislative colleague. Sa ilocano, lastog isuna kadi. Which is undignified for a Senator.
Mel says
marithe says
I THINK JPE HAD THE LIKES OF MIRIAM, THIS TIME AT HIS AGE. PARA-PARAAN LANG PARA HINDI HALATA.
Mel says
Clock watcher Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said the transmittal of a new impeachment complaint would most likely mean the Senate would no longer have time to legislate.
Sotto admitted the Senate would have its hands full with two impeachment cases being heard, so there would definitely be sacrifices.
Read related comment.
– Rotate the Senate-Impeachment Chairperson
– Information overload
percy1007 says
In case Corona gets away this time, the congressmen will again impeach him late this year or early next year. What is best is to convict Corona since based on known facts, he is unfit to be CJ . The senate can do its job after disposing del Castillo also.
But if Corona wins, he should resign since he will be ineffective anyway. Any of his decisions will always be suspect. Kawawa judiciary if he stays at dadami ang pending cases sa SC dahil busy si Corona fending off accusations left and right.
DOJ will work on GMA’s cases para di umakyat sa SC at kulong pa rin siya until maalis si Corona. So no more reason to stay as he can no longer protect his patron.
RELOJERO says
Sotto reminds me of my classmate in grade 4, “UWIAN NA”.
Walanghiya naman, yun lang pala ang primacy ng isip ni Sotto, uwian bakit pa naging Senator ito? Please lang hindi na ito dapat ihalal, nale letse anh takbo ng bayan oag pina pabayaan sa tulad nito ang Senado.
mike says
People who know human nature very well know that Tupas is basically bad.
Pinoyparin says
@cecil
COMEON DONT BE NAIVE
WHAT IS THE CONNECTION OF THE AQUINO SIBLINGS IN THE KIND OF PERSON THAT CJ CORONA IS BEING EXPOSED RIGHT NOW?
WHAT THE FILIPINO PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW IS IF CORONA IS QUALIFIED TO HOLD THE POSITION OF CHIEF JUSTICE AS PER THE QUALIFICATION PRESCRIBED BY THE CONSTITUTION.
OF ALL THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, HE HAS NO EQUAL IN THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF QUALIFICATION REQUIRED BECAUSE OF THE DECISIONS THAT IS ENTRUSTED TO HIM THAT IS AFFECTING EACH AND EVERY FILIPINO IN THEIR PERSONAL OR PUBLIC JUDICIAL RIGHTS.
KAPAG HINDI MATINO ANG PUNONG HUKOM BUONG BANSA AY APEKTADO.
SA MGA LUMALABAS NA EBEDINSIYA , IKAW NA ANG HUMUSGA KUNG SIYA AY KARAPAT DAPAT O HINDI.
ITO PO AY HINDI LEGAL NA PAGLILITIS KUNGDI ISANG MORAL NA PAGLILITIS.
AKO PO AY HINDI PUMAPANIG KAY PNOY DAHIL SIYA AY AQUINO KUNGDI SIYA AY MAY HANGARIN NA MAIPATUWID ANG ATING BANSA.
ANG ISANG PUNONG MANGGA AY HINDI MAGBUBUNGA NG LANZONES.
HALIMBAWA ANG ATING MGA POLITICIANS
1- NINOY AND PINOY
2- MICKEY AND GLORIA
3- FERDIE AND BONGBONG
CECIL MAGPAKAKATOTOO KA
intrigued says
@Pinoyparin–Thumbs up– Salamat :)
Juan Alila says
agree…………..
rafael l. vidal says
Like a complex puzzle game, the practice of wily lawyers of laying an intricate networks of true events and modified documents or evidences, as a ruse to trap an unsuspecting and inexperienced opponents, or in recent cases, exculpate their clients from damning documented evidences on mere technicalities such as, but not limited to, using fruits from poisoned trees, thereby categorizing such evidences as illegally acquired and, therefore, inadmissible in court.
Just like kid tadtad in garci tapes and many cases of cops planting imagined or emasculated evidences either for extortion or to ensure a not-guilty-verdict for moneyed drug lords, etc., it is therefore not unlikely that the crafty respondent himself or thru cohorts, could have planted the poisoned tree as a desparate move to clean up the mess due to the unexpected failure of his learned defense counsels to prevent the presentation and testimonies of bank officials on cj corona’s undeclared multi-million peso accounts that are far beyond his means.
In military parlance, “THE BATTLE IS JOINED” and could either result in defeat, victory, stalemate, or truce.
Whatever, the public is already aware of the issues on the case at bar, and many are saying “ABA EHH!!! NAKAKAHIYA NAMAN !!!
ricta says
Again, dito depende kung kanino ka kampi. Everyone has his/her own personal bias and prejudices. For example, this blog tends to form a negative conclusion in one’s mind against CJ Corona and therefore may be perceived as bias. As an observer, I think we should take a cold look at this event and form judgement accordingly. Let us wait for the defense to explain and be heard to be fair. Consider also that if a super high ranking official is really corrupt, the amounts being spoken in this trial, while big for us, are relatively small. Si Nery nga e, was offered Php 200 million just to keep his mouth shut. Baka pinagtatawanan lang tayong lahat ni Lucio Tan sa pinagu usapan amount if what Merites Vitug wrote in her book, “Shadow of Doubt”, is true.
raissa says
Really?
Guy With A Blog says
“Consider also that if a super high ranking official is really corrupt, the amounts being spoken in this trial, while big for us, are relatively small.” – ricta
ricta, are you serious with this assertion? ANY public official should be banned from holding office if they are shown to have more than what their salaries can afford them to own, and the Chief Justice should not be held accountable because the amounts are “relatively small”?
I have to ask again, are you serious?
Baltazar says
Yes, Cecil is serious. .. seriously poisoned. And the poison is blinding him/her.
ricta says
Wala akong sinasabi they should not be held accountable. So long as an official is proven guilty, he should suffer the consequence. All I am saying in looking at this situation coldly is not to be influenced much by your present biases and prejudices. Hindi pa natin nadidinig and other party. Being impartial on this does not necessarily mean being pro corona and unpatriotic. Otherwise, why go through the hearing?
As regards the amount, the point of my statement is that baka marami pang wealth na hindi pa nakikita ang prosecution as they are focusing on again, relatively small amount. Maghanap pa sila at baka lumabas ang hundreds of millions. Sa position ng isang chief justice na corrupt, madali lang kitain yun.
intrigued says
@ricta—Please tell me you’re the only one in your tribe who thinks this way. I hope you’re not in this site just to stir up people because you are way out of line with your thinking. It has nothing to do with the amount of money involved it’s all about PRINCIPLE. The general truth behind people’s actions. Open your eyes and while at it OPEN YOUR MIND too !!!
Marj says
Kahit na po anong mga opinion nyo, ang sakin lang po ma acquit man c corona dapat magresign na siya kasi sa mga nangyari wala na siyang credibility….so dapat mahiya naman sya …… Dapat nga kahit anong government position di na nya dapat tanggapin dahil sa mga lumabas na mga pangyayari sa pamilya nila…..nakakahiya na sya…sira na reputasyon nya dapat nga magtago na sya…kung lumabas man sya itago na nya mukha nya kaso kapal muks talaga…..hay tao nga naman…kaya hindi na umasenso ang Pilipinas sa dami ng mandurugas sa gobyerno….ang nangingibabaw kasi GREED….sana magbago na mga taong gobyerno para naman maiba naman takbo ng buhay natin lalu na mga anak at mga apo natin…….
Ricta Lamaksa Kabulukansirene says
@ricta …wtf…
I dont know where you came from. palagay ko naamabunan ka sa milyones ni corona at saradong sarado ang isip mo sa nangyayari sa bayan. papano ka aasa ng fairness sa isang taong masahol pa sa isnatcher? oh my, my, ricta, for the sake of your rotting teeth, have some sense for once in your life…pity the man who is pitiful for they have no pity in themselves..stop being pititik sabi nga ng isang commenter dito..
@raissa.
mukhang sijkat na sikat na talaga ayung blog mo, yung mga kulisap ni corona naglipana na rito, well, we cant blame them, hindi na kumikita ying nga blog nila, wala ng pumapansin sa kanila at least dito they can entertain us..hala mga kulisap pasok sa bahay na katotohanan!
tristanism says
But then if we ‘take a cold look at this event,’ then one could somewhat form an opinion that Corona is concealing something really smelly.
Only a true blue Corona worshipper can watch the trial and say, “Mukang wala namang problema ang yaman ni Corona.”
Sure, sure. Let’s wait for the trial to finish. But right now, Corona is looking more and more cagey. For somebody na malinis ang konsensya at walang tinatago, he sure is a whole lot secretive.
I am trying so hard to presume that he’s innocent, but the defense panel’s tactic of ‘block everything at all cost’ is really not helping this effort any.
Mark Anthony Bolivar Andrade says
Consider also the trust that the people has for that Public Official who happen to be the Chief Justice… If Enrile, Joker Arroyo and other senator judges who favored Corona doesn’t care of what the public want to happen then let the impeachment trial be tried in the SC… What’s the purpose why the impeachment is entrusted to the senate for trial by the constitution? It is because they are the representative of the people who elected them therefore their judgement should reflect to what the public wishes to happen… If they stick to that technicality then let it be tried in regular courts under the Judiciary where everything is about technicalities…. It is pretty obvious that Enrile is blocking the truth to come out. It is pretty obvious that joker arroyo did so. What can benefit it can give us if the senate sitting as an impeachment trial come to ACQUIT CORONA..? will it restore the trust of the people to SC… NEVER…
jackstone says
Oh , Small Lady, you’re such a Yellow journalist. Pathetic.
raissa says
Hi Jackstone or whatever your name is,
You’re the one Y-E-L-L-O-W – hiding under a pathetic pseudonym.
Run to mommy, now. There, there, don’t cry. Your mommy’s waiting over there.
Baggy says
jackstone, it seems to me you work with cristina corona right?
Dr. Rhinestone Cowboy says
Dear raissa,
Salamat sa column mo at natunton din namin etong si jackstone. Katulad ng isang pasyente namin, mas matindi ang sayad ng ulo nito. lahat ng kulay yellow Iniinom nito. Magmula ng hindi pinayagan ni Pnoy na kumanta sa rally nya noon election, nagtanim na ng sama ng loob sa mga kampi kay pnoy. Pati ipin nito yellow kaya pag kaharap mo, huwag ipin ang titingnan mo. Hindi rin ito nakakaintindi ng english kahit na laking moriones. Akala nya parati siyang nasa sineng koboy. Marami pa kaming pinaghahanap na pasyenteng tulad nito. Maayos naman to pagka nakainom ng combantrin, kontra bulate.
Dr.Rhinestone.
Jacks,
its time to go home girl, . easy now, mama rhinestone will pick you up..okay
I bought you your favorite barbie doll..
Mama rhinestone
tristanism says
Wow, you’re stupid.
tristanism says
(Wow, you’re stupid)
I was replying to Jackstone’s comment.
jimmycoz says
@jackstone, kulang ka lang siguro sa pansin.
Johnny lin says
Ha ha ha jacstone, di ba laro ng small lady yun.
ganito laro nun:
Hagis bola, Pinupulot at tinatapon jackstone, katapusan kinukurakot lahat.
Kaya pala Pro Corona KURAKOT din. He he he.
Mga patapon, walang dignidad pareho ni Corona
Johnny lin says
@jackstone
Do you know this:
Jackstone selection of blog name is ultimate proof that the id is telling the truth.
Jackstone is a game of grabbing technique we enjoyed playing when we were young
Grabbing like in GRABBING BGE MONEY by the Coronas from their relatives.
The id can’t be fooled, it tells the silent truth behind the mind of the speaker, he he he.
Juan Alila says
LOL !! Nagpapatawa ka ata. I tell you jackstone.. Raissa’s caliber will investigate and report even if they are yellow, blue or any color who she thinks has done wrong. Sigh..Iba talaga dyan.. di mo alam kung tanga, bulag o nagbubulagbulagan.
connor mcleod says
The President of the Bank (PSBank) already confirmed the Bank Accounts of Corona, even if the documents are not accepted as evidence, the truth is he still acquired ill gotten wealth and should be punished.
truth_seeker1961 says
Correct. No matter what (truth or lie, legal or illegal evidence) it will all boil down to the final judgement of each senator and they are not even obliged to explain their respective vote. Trillanes has already declared his position so segurado na ang 1 vote ng prosecution. I give Drilon the benefit of the doubt, because he was once noted for doing U turn at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour. 14 or 15 of the remaining 21, is needed to for conviction.
A number of them will run for reelection come 2013. So the events of Feb 25 and Feb 28 may influence their final judgement. Whatever your stand, you can somehow influence their votes by attending either of the 2 events.
Baltazar says
@Truth_seeker
Ayan ka na naman .. bragging about INC… kaya convinced akong miymebro ka nila. You are so confident about the swinging power of INC’s vote of 1 million.
2013 Elections is not a presidential race. Your 1 million vote can be very much neutralized by yet another silent group – the Evangelical Christians. Isama mo na yung UCCP mo. Yung boto kay Eddie Villanueva last time can be converted this time to Senatorial votes basta magpkatotoo lang sila. Ayun, sinabi ko na sa iyo ang rason dun sa kabilang thread kung bakit mas matimbang ang TRUTH sa mga Evangelical Christian groups. That is the foundation of Christianity because The Christ Himself said I am the truth. .. Again wala sa iyo yun kasi ka parehas ka ni Corona – sinungaling! tsk..tsk. Hari ka talaga ng sablay.
Johnny lin says
General truthseeker
Explain why CORONA IS NOT A THIEF
You cant give one evidence that he is not a CROOK
Senate vote does not matter
Corona is DEADMEAT, No integrity
He HE HE
Minority lawmakers have no balls. No principle.All talk
Congressman Suarez withdrew petition to impeach Aquino
WHERE ARE THE INC?
INC and UCC are cult followers he he he
Go against Suarez, you impeach PNoy,HIi. Hii hi
Mel says
Hoy @Baltazar , @Johnny lin.
natatawa ako sa inyong dalawa!
ayaw ninyong lubayan si truth_seeker196. kada comment niya, sinusubaybayan ninyo kung may hugis INCorporated.
LOL!
kayo ang sentry (bantay) ng konsensiyang makabayan.
Johnny lin says
@Mel
Simple lang naman, kung me utak sila. Depende mo ang prinsipyo.
Kung sinabi ninakaw ang pera, paliwanag san galing ang pera.
Tinuringan sinungaling, ipaliwanag bakit hindi totoo
Walang mapalinawag, kung ano ano sinasabi para mawala sa usapan
Uto- uto kaya sila kaya walang masabi kundi sintu-sinto.
Lumang tugtugin na yun, polka tawag dun Rap na ngayon
Mete la abe, he he he
Mel says
tama nga naman, walang batas na pipigil kung mangumpisal at ipalathala ang lahat.
siguro, dala pa rin ni R Corona ang maka kastilang turo ng mga ninuno niya.
mababa ang tingin nila sa pilipino – parang indios pa rin ang turing nila sa nakararaming pilipino hanggang ngayon.
truth_seeker1961 says
He he! I humbly surrender. Mission failed. Its impossible to transform the king’s concubines into an elite fighting force. See you after the war ;-)
Mel says
Are you leaving the Raïssa Robles blogsite for good?
Abandoning your ship ala ‘Costa Concordia’, a deserter?
If I were you, keep dropping your commentary lines.
A quotation from Sun-tzu.
‘Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.‘
That way everyone knows what your side THIMKS of the battle to impeach Corona, the propaganda used to try to win the hearts and minds of the people in this blogsite.
Unless @Baltazar , @Johnny lin and others have rubbed a raw nerve for you to scamper, with your tail between your legs. LOL! biro lang.
magbalikbayan ka rin. babalik na babalik ka rin. tignan mo. you can’t find another blogsite like Raïssa Robles.
Siguro, you can have a reborn pseudonym, like truth_found2012.
Baltazar says
Truth_seeker, promise, babalik ka ha?. :P Heroes are nothing without villains…Taong bayan ang heroes dito which include me and the rest …and YOU too. Whether you like it or not, you will benefit from the advocacy of truth kahit baluktot ka. Ganun lang yun kabayan. That is the deeper meaning of fair game.
Baltazar says
@Mel,
Paano ba namang hindi ko gagawing mission ang tutukan siya , eh tanggap ko na idi defend nya si Corona but instead gumawa siya ng napakaraming palabok gaya ng lectures about the left-center-right inclinations, pakikipag usap kay Iggy Arroyo ( ano sya espiritista?), ang mga Ilongo raw kagaya ni Miriam ay Aryan race atb pang kahambugan ..KAKALOKA! lang. At least I tried to be rational in debating that we are pro-truth. Kagaya nga ng sinabi ni katotong Johnny Lin, hindi naman niya maipagtanggol ang tatay niya.. tsk..tsk..
Out of topic but this one is worth reading:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/global-filipino/02/23/12/justice-served-murdered-ofw-kuwait
jimmycoz says
INC vote? Did it make the difference sa last presidential elections? Most of your members are mindless low level blind followers. Hehehe. Review the past and you will find the lies and trickeries of your Manalo, how he mislead the likes of you in believing that he is God sent. I also know why INC churches are color coded. Blue if the money lent by Manalo for building is still not paid and light brown if already fully paid, di ba? In short, your church and Manalo are just after your money. Now, they are using you mindless freaks to bargain your votes for pollitical favors and, obviously, to make even more money.
nelson ongpauco says
mga tutoy alam ba ninyo kung papaano at saan natuto na magbasa ng biblia sa manalo ,sya ay tinuruan ni delos santos dahil semenarista sya ,,nag umpisa sya sa mga taga bundok sa mga taong hindi maka simba dahil malayo .ang simbahan sa bayan alam ba ninyo kung saan nag aral ang mga anak ni manalo sa catholic school,dahil ang kaibigan namin ay kapit bahay nila sa sanjuan,kayo bang mga inc.nakapasok na sa kuwarto ni manalo ? ? ang kuwarto niya ay may litrato ni cristo na parating sinasabi ng mga inc na na nalangin ang mga katoliko sa rebulto nakausap ko ang apo ni delos santos at sinabi nya na ang loloniya ang nagturo ng biblia kay manalo..si delos santo din ay natayo ng kaniyang simbahan..